Group hears plans for Urban Alternative House

Students in the UM-Ann Arbor of urban planning masters program presented their recommendations for the new Urban Alternatives House (UAH) at 924 Eddy St. to the Central Park community April 26 at the Court Street Village Nonprofit Neighborhood House. The original UAH site in Carriage Town was destroyed by fire in January after months of planning.

"We had to start over," said Richard Hill-Rowley, UM-Flint associate professor, who wrote the original grant for the UAH.

"The Genesee County Land Bank initiated this project and the students prepared the plans as the capstone for their master's program," Hill-Rowley said.

The Land Bank remains the property owner and will become the property manager when the project is completed.

The project is being funded by Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 and the Rotary Club with matching funds from the C.S. Mott Foundation.

Student Jonathan Tarr said the group's design objectives are to rehab the home built in 1918 using "green" building principals. There will be an educational space and three apartments. The side lot will be used for a community garden.

"We want to engage the community as partners in the project," Tarr explained.

According to Tarr, the property has been cleared out and awaits zoning approval. Work is scheduled to begin in August.

"We want to have the house sealed by November to begin interior renovation," he said.

The home will feature energy-saving technology like geothermal wells for heating and cooling. Windows and appliances will also be energy savers, Tarr said.

Student Breanna Shell said the education space would be used for energy-efficient demonstrations and tours for the community. UM-Flint students and Mott Community College students will also use the facility.

"The MCC technology division partnership enhances learning at both schools," said Maria Ryen, UM-Ann Arbor project team member. "Students will collaborate in the development processes, sharing space, knowledge and ideas."

Other partners in the project include the Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium.

"They will be sharing audiences with UAH," Ryen added.

The project team recommended an advisory council be established to keep up project momentum.

"We need volunteers from the neighborhood, UM-Flint, the Land Bank, MCC and Sloan Museum to oversee the project and delegate tasks," Ryen explained.

Eric Dueweke, manager of community partnerships for UM-Ann Arbor, said he was glad the students had this opportunity to help bring UM-Flint and the neighborhood together.

"The key to success here is for the people involved to commit to the vision the students have laid out," Dueweke said.

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